TAGS: Surface Modification Polymer Reinforcement
Graphene nanotubes by OCSiAl dispersed in resin grant permanent and uniform anti-static properties to pipes and ensure safety from sparks, a frequent cause of ignition and explosion. The attraction of this solution lies in the simplicity of granting anti-static properties to composite material and its uniformity.
Previously, the usual method was to coat the fiber-glass surface with an anti-static coating, to apply a carbon veil as a separate layer, or to add carbon black inside the resin.
Solution: Replacing Carbon Black with Graphene Nanotubes
The practical solution, welcomed by pipe manufacturers, is to replace 4–15% of carbon black with 0.02–0.05% of graphene nanotubes to achieve a permanent and stable level of resistivity of 10^4–10^6 Ohm cm in GFRP pipes.
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Carbon veils or rovings can require more labor and production time and can also be challenging to produce rotating parts with the required quality. Also, carbon black leads to degradation of mechanical properties and unwanted dust formation,” said Hendrik Janssen, technical support engineer for EMEA, OCSiAl Group.
Nanotubes create a homogeneous and stable conductive network inside epoxy, polyester, and vinyl-ester that ensures that every part of a pipe can dissipate dangerous static charge and do this throughout the whole service life of the pipe. Nanotube concentrates by OCSiAl based on various polymer carriers are easily compatible with key manufacturing technologies, such as SMC, BMC, spray-up, filament winding, pultrusion, and hand layup.
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The value proposition nanotubes bring is two-fold. On the one hand, nanotubes facilitate a wider use of composite pipes, which eliminate the corrosion problem, slash the cost of infrastructure, and offer CO2 savings compared to the installation and maintenance of steel pipes. On the other hand, nanotubes significantly improve the safety of the high-risk facilities, which is crucial for the oil & gas industry, chemical plants, and mines,” added Mr. Janssen.
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Source: OCSiAl